Critics Poll Summer 2007: Series

SoSueMe

Votes were tabulated using a weighted scale. Critics submitted 10 shows in the best series category, with the top choice receiving 10 points, the second choice 9 points and so on down to the 10th choice, which received 1 point. Critics submitted five shows in the worst series category, with weighting descending from 5 points for the No. 1 choice to 1 point for No. 5. Shows were televised between Jan. 8 and June 18, 2007.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/07/best_and_worst_series_summer_0.php



The Best

Rank Show Network Poll Ranking Studio

1. The Sopranos HBO N/R HBO, Brad Grey TV, Chase Films
2. Lost ABC 6 Touchstone TV
3. Friday Night Lights NBC 7 Imagine Entertainment, NBC Universal TV, Film 44
4. The Office NBC 3 Reveille, NBC Universal TV
5. Ugly Betty ABC 4 Touchstone TV
6. Heroes NBC 2 NBC Universal TV
7. 30 Rock NBC 13 NBC Universal TV, Broadway Video TV
8. The Shield FX N/R Sony Pictures TV
9. Grey’s Anatomy ABC 4 Touchstone TV
10. The Tudors Showtime New Showtime, Reveille, Working Title, Peace Arch Entertainment
11. The Riches FX New Maverick, Fox TV Studios
12. Entourage HBO N/R HBO, Leverage
(t) Battlestar Galactica Sci Fi 9 NBC Universal TV, Sky One
14. American Idol Fox N/R Fremantle Media, 19 TV, Fox TV
15. House Fox 11 Heel & Toe Films, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions, NBC Universal TV
16. Boston Legal ABC N/R 20th Century Fox, David E. Kelley Productions
17. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Comedy Central 14 Comedy Central, Mad Cow Productions
18. Rescue Me FX 12 Apostle, DreamWorks TV, Cloudland Co., Sony Pictures TV
19. Desperate Housewives ABC N/R Touchstone TV, Cherry Productions
(t) Rome HBO N/R HBO, BBC
21. Everybody Hates Chris The CW N/R 3 Arts Entertainment, Paramount Network TV
(t) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS N/R CBS Prods., Alliance Atlantis, Bruckheimer TV
23. Brothers and Sisters ABC 24 Touchstone TV
24. Veronica Mars The CW 21 Silver Pictures, Warner Bros., Stu Segall Productions
25. The New Adventures of Old Christine CBS New Warner Bros. TV


The Worst

Rank Show Network Poll Ranking Studio
1. October Road ABC New Group M, Touchstone TV
2. 24 Fox 22* Real Time Productions, Imagine TV, 20th Century Fox TV
3. The Real Wedding Crashers NBC N/R Katalyst Films, New Line TV
4. The Black Donnellys NBC New Blackfriars Bridge Films, NBC Universal
5. Pussycat Dolls Present: TheSearch for the Next Doll The CW New Warner Horizon, 10x10 Entertainment
6. Tyler Perry’s House of Payne TBS New Tyler Perry, Debmar-Mercury
7. Nancy Grace Headline News 6 Cable News Network
8. Sons of Hollywood A&E New iCandy TV
(t) On the Lot Fox New Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks, Amblin TV
(t) The Wedding Belles Fox New David E. Kelley Productions, 20th Century Fox TV
*in Best Shows category Winter ’07

N/R: Not ranked in the Winter 2007 poll
New: Series premiered after the eligibility period for the Winter 2007 poll.


PARTICIPATING CRITICS
Marc Allan, Nuvo Newsweekly; Michael Ausiello, TV Guide; Chuck Barney, Contra Costa (Calif.) Times; Robert Bianco, USA Today; Hal Boedeker, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel; Christine Champagne, Gaywatch; John Crook, Tribune Media Services; Doug Elfman, Chicago Sun-Times; Shelley Gabert, Emmy Magazine; Ellen Gray, Philadelphia Daily News; John Griffiths, US Weekly; Mike Hughes, Gannett News; Tanya Kersey, Black Talent News; Rick Kushman, Sacramento (Calif.) Bee; Luaine Lee, McClatchy-Tribune News Services/Zap2it; Ed Martin, MediaVillage; Julio Martinez, Latin Heat; Charlie McCollum, San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News; Mike McDaniel, Houston Chronicle; Bruce Miller, Sioux City (Iowa) Journal; Gerri Miller, Scholasticnews.com; Kate O’Hare, Tribune Media Services; Joanne Ostrow, Denver Post; Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Alan Pergament, Buffalo (N.Y.) News; Robert Philpot, Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram; Matt Roush, TV Guide; Alex Strachan, CanWest News; Jonathan Storm, Philadelphia Inquirer; Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly; Miki Turner, AOL Black Voices; Dave Walker, New Orleans Times-Picayune; Molly Willow, Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch; Diane Werts, Newsday.

Dodge

If you're into critics polls

http://www.metacritic.com/tv/

Basq

'House' only at Number 15?!?! Stupid feckin' critics!

WORST... POLL.... EVER!

StarryBud

24 is the second worst? While it's well below what it was in the first three seasons it's hardly the second worst show on television.

ixoy

Oh 'The Sopranos' at #1 - how predictably boring. And although I enjoyed the second half of 'Lost's third season, it certainly doesn't deserve such a high placing, given the general "ho hum" attitude from most people I know.
'House' is indeed too low as our esteemed mod. has pointed out and... gah, let's face it we're never going to agree.

I think 'The Wire' should be #1 because, even though it aired in '06, it's so good that it transcends time...

AdMMM

It's nice to see Friday Night Lights up there

StarryBud

StarryBud wrote:

24 is the second worst? While it's well below what it was in the first three seasons it's hardly the second worst show on television.

After watching the first few episodes of series 6 I must disagree with you and the critics and call it the worst show.

Jesus Wept

Criminal minds not on the list? CSI on the list? Bizzare.

SoSueMe

basquille wrote:

'House' only at Number 15?!?! Stupid feckin' critics!

WORST... POLL.... EVER!

House was good for maybe the first two seasons but it has become repeitive nd predictable. Hugh Laurie's performance is the strongest part of the show but that is not enough to make it higher ranked. 15 is good enough for a procedural like House.

The-Rigger wrote:

Criminal minds not on the list? CSI on the list? Bizzare.

As long as Criminal Minds is on the worst list.

CSI and the minature killer storyline was riveting on CSI last season.

silvine

I'm surprised Lost did so well and 24 so badly. Granted Lost's season was better this time round and 24's writers dropped the ball but second worst and second best thing on tv?

In a word, NO.

Vegeta

StarryBud wrote:

24 is the second worst? While it's well below what it was in the first three seasons it's hardly the second worst show on television.

Wow 24 has gone down hill after season 3.

I saw the first 2 seasons and thought it could only improve.

Not surprised where it came then as its a love it or hate it show

EDIT: Lost is rated way too highly

SoSueMe

silvine wrote:

I'm surprised Lost did so well and 24 so badly. Granted Lost's season was better this time round and 24's writers dropped the ball but second worst and second best thing on tv?

In a word, NO.

Wtihout making this about how bad a certain show is, Lost has been especially since it came back from its winter hiatus which thes poll counts, it has been riveting. Critics are in awe of the finale and the seasond half of the season as a whole.

24 deserves to be the worst. I have watched every year and would never miss an episode. During season 6 I didn't mind missin an episode. It became boring we had seen everything before but unlike other times the put a fresh twist on it. If the producers can admit the show lost its way then it was bad.

Rjd2

24 has being rubbish for the last three seasons or so, this one especially has gone over old ground again and again so hopefully it may serve as a kick up the backside of Kiefer. In an ideal world the show would have ended after the third season when it was its peak.
Nice to see Friday Night lights so high, devestating to see pointless dross like Ugly Betty up with it though!

SoSueMe

Rjd2 wrote:

24 has being rubbish for the last three seasons or so, this one especially has gone over old ground again and again so hopefully it may serve as a kick up the backside of Kiefer. In an ideal world the show would have ended after the third season when it was its peak.
Nice to see Friday Night lights so high, devestating to see pointless dross like Ugly Betty up with it though!

ITs a matter of opinion if you like/dislike Ugly Betty. ITs probably not your type of show. It certainly does not entitle you to call it dross. Why has it won som any awards? It is fresh and original and that is what TV needs.

SoSueMe

Here are the results from Winter 2006:

2006 TVWeek Winter Critics Poll Results

THE BEST:
1. The Wire HBO
2. Heroes NBC
3. The Office NBC
4. Grey's Anatomy ABC
5. Ugly Betty ABC
6. Lost ABC
7. Friday Night Lights NBC
8. Dexter Showtime
9. Battlestar Galatica SciFi
10. Studio 60 NBC
11. House FOX
12. Rescue Me FX
13. 30 Rock NBC
14. The Daily Show Comedy Central
15. Project Runway Bravo
16. Deadwood HBO
17. Weeds Showtime
18. The Closer TNT
19. The Nine ABC
20. My Name is Earl NBC

The Bottom Ten

1. Happy Hour FOX
2. Twenty Good Years NBC
3. The War at Home FOX
4. Til Death FOX
5. Desire My Network TV
6. Fashion House My Network TV
7. Nancy Grace CNN
8. Lucky Louie HBO
9. Deal or No Deal NBC
10. The Bachelor:Rome ABC

SoSueMe

January 2006 - June 2006 (Summer)

Rank Show Network (Last Year's Rank)

THE BEST
1. Lost ABC (1)
2. The Sopranos HBO (--)
3. Grey's Anatomy ABC (4)
4. 24 FOX (--)
5. House FOX (3)
6. The Office NBC (12)
7. My Name is Earl NBC (2)
8. Rescue Me FX (8)
9. The Shield FX (--)
10. Deadwood HBO (22)
11. Battlestar Galatica SciFi (18)
12. Big Love HBO (--)
13. Scrubs NBC (--)
14. American Idol FOX (--)
15. The Colbert Report Com Chan (-)
16. Veronica Mars UPN (9)
17. Everybody Hates Chris UPN (5)
18. Daily Show Com Chan (11)
19. Prison Break FOX (7)
20. Everwood WB (17)
21. Entourage HBO (14)
22. Boston Legal ABC (20)
23. Desperate Housewives ABC (13)
24. The West Wing NBC (--)
25. Law & Order: SVU NBC (--)


THE WORST:
1. Unan1mous FOX
2. The War at Home FOX
3. Lucky Louie HBO
4. The Bedford Diaries WB
5. Modern Men WB
6. Teachers NBC
7. Heist NBC
8. Fear Factor NBC
9. Emily's Reasons Why Not ABC
10. According to Jim ABC


Winter 2005:

rank / last years rank / show / network

01 01 - Lost ABC
02 nw - My Name is Earl NBC
03 06 - House FOX
04 12 - Grey's Anatomy ABC
05 nw - Everybody Hates Chris UPN
06 04 - Arrested Development FOX
07 nw - Prison Break FOX
08 18 - Rescue Me F/X
09 10 - Veronica Mars UPN
10 nw - Rome HBO
11 08 - Daily Show with Jon Stewart Comedy Central
12 19 - The Office NBC
13 02 - Desperate Housewives ABC
14 n r - Entourage HBO
15 n r - Nip/Tuck F/X
16 09 - Gilmore Girls WB
17 17 - Everwood WB
18 23 - Battlestar Galactica Sci Fi
19 n r - Without A Trace CBS
20 24 - Boston Legal ABC
21 nw- Commander In Chief ABC
22 03 - Deadwood HBO
23 nw - Extras HBO
24 nw - Sleeper Cell Showtime
25 n r - Curb your Enthusuiasm HBO

Rjd2

SoSueMe wrote:

ITs a matter of opinion if you like/dislike Ugly Betty. ITs probably not your type of show. It certainly does not entitle you to call it dross. Why has it won som any awards? It is fresh and original and that is what TV needs.

The fact that I have watched nearly 10 episodes in their enterity means I can label it whatever I want. The shows not funny,most of the characters bar the father are shallow, one dimensional, and incredibly hard to like, and it contans all that irritating forced quirkiness that makes Desperate Housewives and Sex And The City so repellant. It also has Ashley Jenson in it as well who after Extras should know comedy acting is not her thing.

Shanotheslayer

basquille wrote:

'House' only at Number 15?!?! Stupid feckin' critics!

WORST... POLL.... EVER!

I agree, heroes should be top 3 ffs

Elmo

24's 4th and 6th season are very bad. But I don't think they should be considered one of the worst shows on TV.

24 made a comeback in season 5 letting them win Best TV Drama at the Emmys in 2006.

I think the Critics are just looking at Season 5 and comparing it to Season 6 they should do this.

AdMMM

Shanotheslayer wrote:

I agree, heroes should be top 3 ffs

I love Heroes but I do think that the finale that we had all been anticipating didn't live up to any of our expectations! I really think they dropped the ball with it and it really should have been a double bill! The rest of the series was sublime, however but the finale must have stuck in the minds of the critics.

ixoy

The Wire was at #1 for 2006? Well they got something right then

aequinoctium

House should be much higher...it's brilliant

Rjd2

ixoy wrote:

The Wire was at #1 for 2006? Well they got something right then

The Bill is better FACT:cool:

Elmo

The Bill is better FACT

What is with boards and the Bill. FFS it's a soap opera.

Rjd2

Elmo wrote:

What is with boards and the Bill. FFS it's a soap opera.

The Bill is a masterpiece, its gritty very well acted and the characters are incredibly well written. The Wire is a lazy CSI rip off.

ixoy

Rjd2 wrote:

The Wire is a lazy CSI rip off.

So clearly then you've never actually watched 'The Wire', given they've pretty much nothing in common other than involving elements of law enforcement.

Rjd2

ixoy wrote:

So clearly then you've never actually watched 'The Wire', given they've pretty much nothing in common other than involving elements of law enforcement.

I was joking I have watched all of The Wire and I consider it to be one of the finest shows ever made and Im currently rewatching Python and early Chris morris work(The Day Today).
I really hope Simon gets the final series perfect because it potentially as a stand alone series could be the greatest series ever made.
The fingers are crossed:D

Rjd2

ixoy wrote:

So clearly then you've never actually watched 'The Wire', given they've pretty much nothing in common other than involving elements of law enforcement.

I was joking I have watched all of The Wire and I consider it to be one of the finest shows ever made and Im currently rewatching Python and early Chris morris work(The Day Today).
I really hope Simon gets the final series perfect because it potentially as a stand alone series could be the greatest series ever made.
The fingers are crossed:D

jor el

Interesting poll, but a lot of things just don't add up. There's no way Sopranos should have been at the top, the 2nd part of season 6 was very hit and miss. Out of the nine episodes I think about five of them were just pointless fill in crap. There were only a few stand out good episodes, even the finale was good (just had a crap ending).

Lost should also not be at the top of the list, it's season was again hit and miss from one week to the next. Some great episodes, but when a show has 50/50 good and crap episodes then it shouldn't be at the top of a poll. They both deserved to be somewhere around where BSG was as it was another 50/50 season this year, so that's about right to be in 13th place.

The Shield and Heroes should have been higher. The finale of Heroes I know didn't go down to well, but overall it was much better than just about every other series this year. Certainly better quality than Lost.

But to put the whole thing in context, and to put these critics ability to do their job in some perspective, Brothers and Sisters made the good list? I'm sorry, but that show is the equivalent of 7th Heaven, just that the kids are older. Utter drivel. To have it one place behind CSI just shows how bad this list is.

Then the bad list, The Black Donnellys? These critics have no idea. That was one of the better shows from this year but wasn't given a chance at all. 24 was pretty bad, though like Lost, BSG and Sopranos, had it's good moments too, especially early in the season. I'd be in two minds as to whether it really belongs on the bad list at all (even though the last 1/3 of the season was rubbish). I probably wouldn't put it in the top 25 of the good ones, but number 2 worst show of the year? Hardly. I'd still rank it better than Brothers and Sisters, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and a few others.